It's the proverbial 2 a.m. call from the CFO: "The quarter is bad, I need your team to deliver savings". Do you become the "cost police" and start squeezing suppliers, or do you step up as a strategic partner?

In this episode, Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and Zach Bachir tackle the "S-word" of procurement. They share a practical playbook for generating real value under pressure, moving beyond simple cost-cutting to strategic leadership. This conversation is for any procurement professional who wants to be prepared before that inevitable call comes.

In this episode, we cover:

• The crucial first step: Understanding the

  real driver behind a savings request and how much license you have to push for cuts.

  
  

• The proactive building blocks every team needs: clean spend data, accessible contracts, and strong stakeholder relationships.

  
  

• Why your relationship with Finance must be "iron" solid and how it makes your savings numbers "bulletproof".

  
  

• The full spectrum of savings levers, from a simple "just ask" to transformational operating model changes.

  
  

• • The "Desktop Drill": A powerful exercise to run with your team to test your readiness before a crisis hits.

  If you’ve ever faced a sudden demand for cost reduction or want to elevate your team from a tactical function to a strategic powerhouse, this conversation is for you.